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Private Investigator

Private investigators or detectives carry out confidential investigations and checks on individuals for companies, a public group, attorneys, and individual clients. They may be required to trace a lost relative, beneficiary or missing person, investigate an insurance claim, or work undercover. Private investigators use many different surveillance methods and search methods to find out important facts in many different matters. They gather as much information as possible by telephone, surveillance, doing background checks, interviewing and talking to people. They assist and work with businesses, attorneys, individuals and the public with financial, legal and personal issues, give evidence at court hearing and often work undercover to observe people suspected fraud or other undesirable or illegal actions.

A private investigator has to keep up with any legal changes that affect their work. They are required to function within the law and make sure any evidence they collected is correct and admissible evidence in court. The cases they work on must be legal and ethical. An investigator may offer services in pre-employment validation, background checks and computer crimes. They often assist in personal injury cases, fraud and insurance claims, investigate infidelity cases and missing person cases.

Many private investigators are office based but spend the majority of their time driving, on foot, sitting and doing investigative, surveillance work, and background checks. Their hours are extremely irregular and, depending on the job, could require the investigator to work during the night, weekends or around the clock, on special cases. Many private investigators have previous experience in law enforcement, insurance and other jobs.

Common work activities include:

• Marketing and advertising services by networking with attorneys, companies and other investigative services.
• Talking with prospective clients and explaining the range of services offered.
• Scheduling meetings with clients to gain necessary information to carry out the investigation.
• Monitoring, providing surveillance, using the internet and other sources to track information and locate individuals.
• Ordering and maintaining necessary equipment such as cameras, computers, fax machines, radios and other equipment.
• Keeping records, providing evidence and writing reports for clients. Filing legal paperwork if required.
• Billing and collecting for services rendered.
• Complying with all licensing requirements for self or employees.
• Hiring, training and supervision of employees that work in the office or in the field.

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